Swedish envoy urges international observation in coming elections

Addressing journalists on Monday after a meeting with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Carlson said the participation of international observers was critical in determining a free and fair election.

During the 2002, 2005 and 2008 elections, the government led by President Robert Mugabe refused to invite Western donors , accusing their mother countries of being biased against the sitting regime while, from last year, Zanu (PF) has been insisting that they will not be entertained.

Other political parties are however gunning for the inclusion of Western observers. Zimbabwe will go to a referendum on 16 March and a general election is expected later in the year.

“The country should engage international observers who are non-partial and have experience in the field. Sweden and northern countries would be happy to participate as observers. We have been supportive of the electoral process and every year inject a total $40 million in Zimbabwe,” she said.

Carlson said they were impressed by the progress that had been made by the Government of National Unity following the conclusion of the draft constitution.

“Looking at the constraints that the country has been facing since 2008, I am impressed by the recovery of the economy and the education sector. We are also glad that the draft constitution was finally concluded after so many years,” said Carlson.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Political Advisor, Alex Magaisa, said elections were likely to be disturbed by incidences of violence as there was selective application of the law on perpetrators.

“Police should be seen as impartial as we head for elections. We are surprised that they have ruled out foul play as cause of the death of a 12-year-old boy who died in an inferno in Headlands. There has not been any arrests. They should investigate further to put the Headlands matter to rest,” Magaisa said.

The boy, Christpower Maisiri whose father is an aspiring MDC-T MP, died in a fire incident that the party immediately blamed on Zanu (PF), but the police say preliminary investigations point to the possibility of fertiliser and tobacco chemicals stored in the house have gone up in flames.